The Chinese word 俯卧撑 (fǔwòchēng), meaning "push-up," is a descriptive compound formed by combining three characters that vividly depict the action: 俯 (fǔ) means "to bow down" or "face downward," 卧 (wò) means "to lie prone," and 撑 (chēng) means "to push up" or "to support." Thus, the term literally and logically sequences the key movements of the exercise—starting in a downward, prone position and then pushing up to support one's body weight.